Fun, Touristy things to do when you're a resident

[Anonymous]

as a DC resident, we sometimes forget all the great/cool things to do and see in the area. I want to be a tourist in my own city this weekend and am looking for fun things to do with the family - other than museums and bike riding which we've done a lot already. thoughts on Odyssey River Cruises....or other cheesey adventures?

2 kids - 13 and 10.

TIA!

[Anonymous]

We went to Lurray Caverns last summer and had a blast. I was a total skeptic, but really enjoyed it. Plus a lot of cute towns on the way down and great spots to grab a bite. At 10 and 13 your kids will likely find Lurray pretty cool.

Would also recommend signing up for a tour of the White House or the Capitol. Did the latter a few months ago with family visiting from out of town and it was really fun and reminded me that I hadn't really taken advantage of a lot of the offerings we've got in DC despite being a resident for 15 years.

[Anonymous]

Paddleboating at the Tidal Basin. An hour is a bit too long-it gets boring after a while-but it's initially fun.

You've done plenty of bike rides so I assume watching planes land at Gravelly Point isn't new to you but if you haven't - that's an idea.

[Anonymous]

PP here - also have been on the Odyssey river cruise and it was fun. Yes, a little cheesy, but a terrific view of the city, monuments, and the river and a very comfortable way to take in the sites.

Another thought was maybe going to brunch at the Kennedy Center rooftop restaurants. It is pricey, but an amazing view of the city, the food is decent (though warning, it's not amazing) and a really singular spot within the city.

[Anonymous]

The hop-on, hop-off bus tours are fun and will get you to stop at places you would normally just drive by. They have discount tickets on Goldstar.

[Anonymous]

My kids loved the Duck tour. I liked the boat trip down to Alexandria and back, but it was a little slow for them.

[Anonymous]

Rent a red bike and ride along the Mall, the cherry blossoms, and get to Georgetown.

[Anonymous]

I took my 8 yr old son on one of those open-top bus tours last year. I've lived here 20 years and I actually learned a few things, plus it was fun!

[Anonymous]

Duck Tour, Air and Space out near Dulles, city tour.

I can't believe I never went to the top of the Washington Monument with my boy! He will be in college by the time it reopens. (Seriously!)

[Anonymous]

I live in the District and maybe because of that, I forget how completely lovely Old Town Alexandria is. Have your kids been to Gadsby's Tavern, Christ Church and all the other "Washington was here" sort of things? Mine had not (see above).

Also, while you're in the area, the Masonic Temple is pretty cool for tween boys because of the mystical, secretive intrigue surrounding the Masons. My 10 yr old loved that (altho I didn't, because I don't buy into that whole mystical Masonic thing)

[Anonymous]

Treasure Hunt at the O Street Mansion.
http://www.omansion.com/treasure_hunts/

C &O Canal boat trip with National Park Service
http://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/great-falls-canal-boat-rides.htm

Visonary Arts Museum Kinectic Sculpture Race
http://www.avam.org/kinetic-sculpture-race/

[Anonymous]

C&O canal mule drawn boat ride- absolute fun!

[Anonymous]

Last summer I lieu of summer camp I took my 4 year old to do the following

Duck boats
Boat taxi from old town to national harbor. Went to peeps store and ran around
butteryfly garden on Tuesday at natural history, it is free on Tuesdays
Air and space out in Dulles
Paddle boats
Baltimore aquarium
Baltimore port discovery
Picked blueberries and strawberries
Jammin java Rocknocerous concert
IMAX at air and space
Early movie first thing in morning, like 10am, super cheap and usually not many people
Annapolis, get crabs at canters
Watch plans take off and land at Reagan
Spy museum
Discovery museum
Baseball game, even local high school ones are fun for kids

[Anonymous]

not the OP, but this was one of the most helpful topics I've seen in a LONG time...Thanks, PPs!!!!!

[Anonymous]

The Spy museum's "Spy in the city" (where you walk around DC pretending to be on a spy mission) was pretty fun.